I learnt something very interesting when I attended a L’Occitane Immortelle Brightening workshop a little while ago. I learnt that the Immortelle flower, which is a little bright yellow flower that grows on the Mediterranean island of Corsica is used in cooking there. Cooking! I’m afraid culinary factoids stay in my head longer than any beauty facts I may come across 😛 Sorry.
But the flower is called Immortelle because it doesn’t fade even after being plucked, and the oils derived from it is found to increase skin elasticity and healing wounds and scrapes. If you are as enthralled with tv and movie productions about ancient times, you could just imagine someone hunting down this bright yellow flower to make a poultice for a wound, couldn’t you? No? Ok, just me then 😛 Yes, I have a wild imagination.
But poultices, wounds and cooking aside, the brand most famous for using the Immortelle flower oils in their skincare range is probably L’Occitane. I know that the L’Occitane Immortelle range (in the deep blue packaging) is very popular with many people who want something anti-aging, but I’m also told that it is more suitable for those with drier skin. I haven’t used their creams and potions but one of the earlier skincare product I’d used from L’Occitane was the Immortelle Foaming Cleanser. I really liked it!
Well if you didn’t already know, L’Occitane has an Immortelle Brightening skincare range which is targeted (you guessed it!) at helping you get more radiant skin. What can I say, its the 1st quarter of the year here in Asia and whitening/brightening products get top billing. 3 new items have been introduced to the range and I’ll run them down quickly for you.
The 3 new items in the Immortelle Brightening skincare range is as you see above:-
- Brightening Foaming Cleanser – RM103/125ml – A soap free formula that lathers up to a thick foam to cleanse skin
- Brightening Mist – RM71/100ml – an alcohol-free face mist in a handy size so you can use it anytime anywhere to cool skin and make it feel softer and look brighter
- Brightening Hand Care SPF20 – RM110/75ml – a non greasy hand cream with sun protection, to protect from the sun rays and also to reduce the appearance of age spots.
In this range, the Immortelle flower oils are blended with White Daisy extract where the Immortelle flower helps skin improve elasticity and micro circulation and increases protection against free radicals; and the White Daisy reduces and inhibits the appearance of pigmentation.
The product I am most intrigued by is the Brightening Moisture Mask which I tested briefly at the workshop. The mask is a thick cream that you apply to your skin and leave on for a few minutes. After you wipe it off and rinse your skin, you will notice an almost immediate brightening of your skin and it doesn’t feel dry. I have to say it was very intriguing.
The rest of the range, which is available at all L’Occitane outlets are everything you can expect in a full range of skincare with a serum, moisture cream, lotion and UV shield.
Personally, I’ve never tried anything in the L’Occitane Immortelle Brightening range for any long period of time, so I can’t tell you if it works. All I’d say when using brightening or whitening skincare, is to expect that it may be drying, and you may not be able to tolerate the ingredients in them. I used to be a fan of whitening products but not anymore. These days, I’m more interested in hydration and anti-aging skincare. Most whitening skincare is just too drying for my skin, almost without exception so I’m just ready to give up. I’ll live with my skin, pigmentation and all 😛 I may however, try that Brightening Moisture Mask because I’m intrigued by it.
In terms of skincare, I am more interested in the Immortelle skincare range, which is the anti-aging one. A beauty editor once told me that she found the Immortelle Precious Cream quite effective and when they speak, you really should perk your ears up and listen 😉
Have you tried anything from the L’Occitane skincare ranges?
I’ve found their Angelika hydration range quite good, if a little light for me after a while. I couldn’t stay with it very long, because my skin needs something more hydrating than that. I do still associate L’Occitane more with bath and body care than skincare. Just one of those things, y’know 🙂
Paris B
L’Occitane Immortelle Brightening skincare range is available at all L’Occitane stores. Prices as stated above.
Angelina says
April 19, 2013 at 8:59 amThe Immortelle Brightening Moisture Mask hydrates your skin. I’ve used it before, but not on a regular basis because it is rich for my skin, causing my skin to breakout. I’m not fond of the Essential Water for Face because of the alcohol content (which IMO is drying for my skin).
Paris B says
April 19, 2013 at 10:14 amThanks for the heads up Angelina! I’m quite interested to try the mask but I’ll make sure I’m careful to not use it too often 🙂
LeGeeque says
April 19, 2013 at 9:18 amI’ve used the toner and I love it. It really softens my skin and preps it for the craploads of serums and moisturisers I dump on. Love!
Paris B says
April 19, 2013 at 10:24 amOoh nice! I haven’t tried their toner but the Angelika one isn’t bad. I used to use it as a makeshift mask even
Angelina says
April 19, 2013 at 10:28 pmAngelica toner is hydrating. I use it as a mask on lazy days, haha. It is alcohol free.
Paris B says
April 22, 2013 at 10:48 pmI used to do that too!
AnT says
April 19, 2013 at 9:31 amWild imagination LOL! 😀
I have only tried their hand purifying gel (hand sanitizer), the lavender a tad too strong for me. Used it once in the class and the whole classroom filled with lavender scent! LOL!! 😀 I was like “Ops – face palm”
Paris B says
April 19, 2013 at 10:24 amI know, I’m cursed with an imagination LOL! Haha I’m sure your class must have smelt good …. or it put everyone to sleep… 😉
Victoria says
April 19, 2013 at 10:11 amI love their bath stuff especially the one that has lemongrass in it. Have also tried their body lotions and its not too bad although the cream is rich. Might be tempted to try the Brightening Moisture Mask but i will either wait for your review or do more research on it before making a purchase 🙂
On another note, will using an alcohol with toner be too drying for your skin? I recently purchased Yves Rocher’s Hydrating Toner and discovered that it has alcohol in it. I don’t usually use a toner containing alcohol so was just wondering. But then again, my moisturisers has alcohol in them so I guess it would not matter anyway?
Paris B says
April 19, 2013 at 10:28 amThey have lemongrass bath stuff? Must be nice! I love the scent of lemongrass in the bath – makes me think I’m in a spa… when I’m not of course Haha! As for toners with alcohol, I have to say I personally don’t pay attention to it. Some are more drying than others and theoretically, if there is alcohol in the ingredients, it will be a little drying. But usually, if its a hydrating toner, then I find its usually hydrating enough. I know some people are sensitive to alcohol in skincare or that they find it drying but I must say, I’m just not particular. That said, its just me and opinions diverge vastly on this point 😉
Angelina says
April 19, 2013 at 10:31 pmI have a fussy skin. Therefore, I am most likely to avoid products with alcohol content. Some people (especially those with oily skin) prefer product with alcohol due to oil control function.
Janessa says
April 19, 2013 at 1:12 pmI’ve tried L’Occitane skincare a few years ago and just bought some more this month! I’m so interested in their skincare products. I really like their Almond Supple Skin Oil. I use it after I shower and I don’t pat my skin dry and use about three pumps of this, dispensing each as I need it. I follow up with lotion or body butter afterwards. It smells so good and I don’t know if it’s really that phenomenal (I have only used it for three weeks) but the scent is so nice.
Paris B says
April 19, 2013 at 6:06 pmAhhh so many people have been talking about the Almond Supple Oil recently! Maybe I should go take another sniff at it and see if I can tolerate the scent. I don’t usually like the smell (or taste) of almonds but it does sound lovely 😀
Becca says
April 19, 2013 at 1:47 pmYou know, I actually haven\’t really tried anything from L\’Occitane except for a sunscreen from the Immortelle line. Actually now that I mention it, I really hope they still sell it–I remember it was a really nice, thin, light, and fluid physical sunscreen formula and didn\’t break me out. I better go search Sephora!! haha
Paris B says
April 19, 2013 at 6:07 pmI have heard that the sunscreen is good too! But I’m still sticking to my Shiseido 😀
Angelina says
April 19, 2013 at 10:34 pmImmortelle Brightening Shield? Nice texture but again, my skin dislikes it. So now it is sitting in the drawer, waiting to see the light again someday :p
Tracy says
April 19, 2013 at 2:58 pmI’ve tried this mask and actually really liked it! Loved how it smelled and I didn’t find it drying at all. I’m intrigued by that Immortelle Precious Cream as well but the price! Yikes. But if it works, then it’s worth it I say!
Paris B says
April 19, 2013 at 6:07 pmAhhh I’m now even more intrigued to try this mask! Thanks for the input, Tracy! The Immortelle Precious Cream is pricey, that’s for sure but so many raves! Must be doing something right eh?
Angelina says
April 19, 2013 at 11:09 pmImmortelle Precious Cream works for my skin. My skin is firmer after using it. No breakout, but it can be greasy if you apply a generous amount on your face.
Paris B says
April 22, 2013 at 10:48 pmIt’s good to know it works, Angelina 🙂 will definitely try it one day soon
Claire says
April 19, 2013 at 4:21 pmI tried the whole brightening range but I guess I wasn’t using it long enough, because I haven’ seen any ‘brightening, haha. My skintexture got improved though, my favourite products are the brightening mist and brightening handcare. I really like the scent, very natural and not overpowering. love the pictures btw <3
Paris B says
April 19, 2013 at 6:11 pmThank you Claire 🙂 Its nice to hear from someone who has actually tried the range! I plan to give the hand care a go because I see that it contains SPF and there aren’t many good hand creams that have SPF in them!
Catherine says
April 19, 2013 at 8:24 pmI have their SPF 40 from this range. LOVE IT. It feels like fluid going on, its such a light texture, it dries fast, no white cast, no stickiness and my foundation or corrector goes on it like a dream. Really really like it. The pump is not the best, its hygienic etc. but it has tendency to block.
Lady at L’Occitane tried so hard to make me buy less spf, god knows why. First she gave me spf 15 from Angelica range and it was great too, very very light and watery.
Paris B says
April 22, 2013 at 10:45 pmIt does sound lovely Catherine 🙂 I recently came across a product that offered low-medium coverage of SPF. I was stunned. Why would anyone in their right mind buy a low SPF product?! Now that you mention it, I’m curious too! Isn’t it better to have high SPF?!
Catherine says
April 23, 2013 at 12:04 amShe told me that we dont live in tropics in Paris, here 15 is enough and there are mostly clouds! We are not talking about a sun but about UVB/UVA. I feel she had no knowledge about it at all.
Paris B says
April 23, 2013 at 11:03 pmHaha that’s really funny! I guess sunscreen education wasn’t high on the brand’s training list 😉
Sunny says
April 19, 2013 at 9:12 pmI own and love many many L’Occitane products, but I haven’t tried this range at all! As much as I like the brand, sometimes their skincare products for face can be a bit too scented for me. It doesn’t smell bad or chemical, and I’m not even allergic to fragrance, but I prefer not to have so much of it on my face!
Paris B says
April 22, 2013 at 10:47 pmI totally get what you mean, Sunny. When a skincare product is too fragranced, I don’t like that too. I like a hint of a scent but not a whole garden on my face lol! I have seen this range popping up everywhere recently so maybe unlike many whitening products, its actually available elsewhere in the world!
Angela says
April 20, 2013 at 2:49 pmSince summer is approaching fast, I should definitely start my whole craze about whitening and brightening my skin.
Paris B says
April 22, 2013 at 10:57 pmThat’s unusual, Angela. Most people are tanning when summer comes! That said, living where I do, I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised. We’re all about whitening here too, whether we like it or not!
Yue Rain says
April 20, 2013 at 4:50 pmi haven’t try any of their products yet. I am more into acne control i guess. I used to try whitening so much that i broke out big time. I got to just be happy with my skin colour and don’t need to brighten or whiten it anymore. Now, have to find suitable anti aging products.
Paris B says
April 22, 2013 at 10:59 pmIf I do use whitening products I tend to stick only to serums and only for evening out my skintone. Being fair usually means that blemishes and marks and uneven skintone show up more prominently. But otherwise I’m more into hydration and anti-aging skincare but I usually do a mixture. Seems to suit me fine for now 😉
linda says
June 1, 2013 at 7:15 pmDo try the Divine Range. I have been using the Divine Extract & Cream 4 a few months. Skin feels smooth & firm. The smell from the Cream is neither cloying nor 2 strong. Downside, the prices of both products r RM 400+. Do u know where I get L’occitane products at a cheaper price?
Jess says
September 11, 2013 at 6:44 amI worked for L’occitane for 2 years and I came across your blog 🙂 I personally love the Brightening Line because I have oily T-zone and Dry Cheeks area – this line is perfect for my skintype and the Serum is AMAZING! I tend to use the brightening serum for day and the precious serum for night treatment.